Media Release

Mangaluru, Jan 27: The co-ordinators from Joy for Kids, agency from Belgium, Danielle De Clercq, Lieselot Baisino and Jorinde Mergan visited CODP, a diocesan NGO of Mangalore Diocesan on January 24.

On their arrival at 2.30pm, they were welcomed by Fr Vincent DSouza, director of CODP with a bouquet of flowers, a shawl and a gift. The programme was organized in Mother Theresa hall. Dorice Fernandes, co-ordinator of CSP which is Child Sponsorship Programme an initiative of CODP, compered the meeting and welcomed the guests. The beneficiary child Ninisha Monteiro, who won several prizes in various competitions performed welcome dance and a song.

As it was a school working day total six children/students along with their parents were present. The Coordinators from Joy for Kids spoke to the children and enquired about their studies, details about the course they have taken and what they intend to do after completion of their studies etc. In the mean time Fr. Vincent DSouza Clarified with the Joy for Kids Co-ordinators the maximum level of studies up to which they will sponsor a student and the clarification was till the end of their studies even if they are willing to study post graduation the sponsorship will be continued.

The CSP Coordinator enquired about sending of the accounts sheet to joy for kids and also about the students whose sponsorship was repeated in two homes. The discussions went on for some time with the conclusion that they would also discuss this matter in the other home and after verifying the situation/need of the family the matter will be discussed with the sponsor. Then Fr. Vincent also raised the request of raising the fee structure to the beneficiaries as the school fee is high in Mangalore. The agency Joy for Kids guests asked CODP NGO to make a study of various fee structures of rural schools and send them a report supporting the request for higher amount of scholarship.

Suzana, sibling of one of the beneficiary student Sonia, expressed her gratitude to the foreign agency coordinators for their selfless service rendered to the children of India and for visiting India from far away country.

Fr Vincent DSouza introduced all the CSP and CODP staff working in CODP. He told the Coordinators that the CSP staff was happy to work with them and they had no problems as the replies were very prompt and to the point from their side. They said that on their part had no complaints and they are very happy about the work handled by CSP, CODP.

After this a tea session was arranged for the guests and the students. Photos were taken with CODP staff and students with Coordinators of Joy for Kids. The visitor’s book at CODP was filled with the memorable words of the visitors from Belgium. The guests expressed a big thanks for the hospitality extended to them. They left CODP at around 4.15pm.

The visit was successful as guests left us happy with a smile of content.